Weather strip and fixing structure of same

ABSTRACT

A weather strip of the present invention includes a molded portion including a base having at least one hole. The weather strip also includes a seal portion, which extends from the base and has a hollow region and at least one protrusion formed at an inside of a side wall of the seal portion. Each protrusion is locally formed corresponding to a position of each hole of the base. The weather strip includes a clip, which is inserted into the hole in the base, used for fixing the base to a vehicle door. The protrusion prevents the clip from rotating in the hollow region of the seal portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and incorporates by reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-343842, which was filed on Nov. 29, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to weather strips, and specifically relates to a vehicle weather strip and a fixing structure for securing the weather strip to a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional vehicle weather strip generally includes a base and a hollow seal portion that extends from the base. The weather strip is fixed to a vehicle body or a door frame. The base of the weather strip is generally fixed to a weather strip retainer of the vehicle body or the door frame. A fixing structure of the conventional vehicle weather strip such as a double-sided adhesive tape or a plurality of clips at a portion, where the retainer is not mounted, is also well known.

When one of the clips is used to fix a molded portion of the weather strip to the vehicle body or door frame, a clip head is located within a hollow region of the seal portion. For example, as a related art weather strip shown in FIG. 9, a base 61 of a weather strip 64, which includes a hollow region 62 and a seal portion 63, is fixed to a door frame 70 by a clip 65. The clip 65 includes a horizontally elongated clip head 66, a clip neck that has a smaller diameter than the length of the clip head 66, and a clip leg 69 that includes an elastic engaging portion 68. The clip neck is located in a hole 61 a of the base 61 when the clip head 66 is inserted into the hollow region 62 of the weather strip 64. When the clip leg 69 is inserted through a hole in the door frame 70, the weather strip 64 is securely fixed to the door frame 70.

As shown by the double-dotted line in FIG. 10, the clip 65 is rotatable in the hollow region 62. Specifically, when the clip 65 is fixed to the base 61 of the molded portion, the clip 65 is apt to rotate because the flexibility of the molded portion is higher than that of an extruded portion. Therefore, the weather strip 64 is apt to be deformed by the clip head 66. As a result, an appearance of the weather strip is less visually pleasing. If the weather strip 64 deforms due to rotation of the clip head 66, the seal portion 63 of the weather strip 64 may be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned limitations. A weather strip of the present invention, which includes a molded portion by which the weather strip is fixed to a part such as a vehicle door or a vehicle body, prevents rotation of a securing clip and therefore prevents deformation thereof caused by rotation of the clip.

A weather strip according to the present invention includes a molded portion with a base having at least one hole defined therein. The weather strip also includes a hollow seal region that extends from the base, and the molded portion of the weather strip has at least one protrusion formed inside of a side wall of the hollow seal region. The protrusion is located at a position corresponding to a position of the hole in the base. Furthermore, the weather strip includes a clip that is inserted into the hole in the base to fix the base to a vehicle body. The protrusion prevents the clip from rotating in the hollow seal portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle showing an opening side door with a weather strip in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the weather strip in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an extruded portion of the weather strip taken along line J-J in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another extruded portion of the weather strip taken along line K-K in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the extruded portion of the weather strip taken along line L-L in FIG. 2 including a clip;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a molded portion of the weather strip taken along line M-M in FIG. 2 and including the clip shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the molded portion of the weather strip taken along line N-N line in FIG. 2 and including the clip shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a related art weather strip and its fixing structure; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the fixing structure of the prior art weather strip shown in FIG. 9 to illustrate a drawback of the related art weather strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle door (a front door, hereinafter referred to as a door or a door frame DF) 3 is hinged at an opening 2 of a vehicle body 1. A weather strip 4 is fixed at the opening 2 of the vehicle body 1 and seals a gap between the vehicle body 1 and the door 3. As well as the weather strip 4, a door weather strip 5 is fixed along the periphery of the door frame DF.

As shown in FIG. 2, the door weather strip 5 includes an upper extruded portion 6, a front extruded portion 7, a corner molded portion 8 and an end molded portion 9. The upper extruded portion 6 corresponds to an upper hem of the door frame DF, and the front extruded portion 7 corresponds to a front hem of the door frame DF. The intermediate portion of the molded portion 8 and the end molded portion 9 are identified by dotted hatching in FIG. 2.

A fixing structure used to fix the door weather strip 5 to the door frame DF will be explained. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper hem of the door frame DF includes a planar portion 10 formed by two metal plates. A plurality of clips 11 hold the two metal plates at an end of the planar portion 10. Furthermore, the plurality of clips 11 also hold a frame molding 12, which is made of a hard plastic material, at the end of the planar portion 10.

The frame molding 12 includes an outer wall 3 and a retaining part 14 that orthogonally extends from the outer wall 13. The frame molding 12 is fixed to set the retaining part 14 on an upper surface of the planar portion 10. A hook-shaped portion 16 is formed on an inward end of the retaining part 14, and an engaging projection 17 is formed on an upper end of the outer wall 13. Thus, the cross sectional view of the retaining part 14 forms C-shape on which a significant portion of the door weather strip 5 such as, for example, the upper extruded portion 6, is fixed.

As mentioned above, the door weather strip 5 includes extruded portions 6, 7 and molded portions 8, 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper extruded portion 6 includes a fixing base 20 and a seal portion 23, which defines a hollow region 22 inside thereof, and a seal lip 24. The fixing base 20, the seal portion 23 and the seal lip 24 are integrated through a connecting portion 21. In the present embodiment, the fixing base 20 and most of the connecting portion 21 are made of (ethylene-propylene-diene copolymerization) solid rubber. The seal portion 23 and the seal lip 24 are made of EPDM sponge rubber. When the door 3 is closed, the seal portion 23 and the seal lip 24 are elastically deformed, thereby sealing the door 3 and the vehicle body 1.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front extruded portion 7 includes a base 30 and a seal portion 32 that includes a hollow region 31. In the present embodiment, the front extruded portion 7 is formed from EPDM sponge rubber. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front extruded portion 7 is fixed to the door 3 by a clip 50. The clip 50, which is made of polyamide (synthetic resin material), includes a clip head 51, which is elongated horizontally, and a clip neck 52 with a diameter that is smaller than the length of the clip head 51. The clip 50 also includes a plate-shaped clip flange 53 and a clip leg 55 that includes a pair of elastic engaging portions 54. The clip head 51 is inserted into a hole 30 a that is formed on the base 30 of the front extruded portion 7. Thus, the clip 50 is fixed to the front extruded portion 7. In this context, the clip head 51 is located in the hollow region 31, the clip neck 52 is located in the hole 30 a and the clip leg 55 projects from the front extruded portion 7. The base 30 of the front extruded portion 7 is held between the clip head 51 and the clip flange 53. The clip leg 55 is inserted into one of holes of the door frame DF to fix the front extruded portion 7 on the door 3.

In the present embodiment, the horizontally elongated clip head 51 is located along the longitudinal direction of the front extruded portion 7. Also, the seal portion 32 includes a narrow part 33. As the clip head 51 is stabilized within the narrow part 33 in the hollow region 31, it is prevented from rotating.

Referring now to the molded portion 8 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a cross-sectional shape of the molded portion 8 varies according to the particular segment thereof. A cross-sectional shape of the molded portion 8 near the upper extruded portion 6 is similar to that of the upper extruded portion 6. A cross-sectional shape of the molded portion 8 near the front extruded portion 7 is similar to that of the front extruded portion 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the molded portion 8 located near the upper extruded portion 6 includes a joint portion 41, a base 42 and a seal portion 44 having a hollow region 43. The joint portion 41 of the molded portion 8 joints the upper extruded portion 6, which includes the fixing base 20 and the seal lip 24, with the base 42 and the seal portion 44. The hollow region 43 is a space surrounded by the base 42 and the seal portion 44. In the present embodiment, the joint portion 41, the base 42 and the seal portion 44 are made of EPDM sponge rubber that is more flexible than that of the extruded portion 6, 7.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the fixing base 20 is fixed to the retainer 14, whereas the base 42 of the molded portion 8 is fixed to the door frame DF with the clip 50 that is the same as used fixing of the front extruded portion 7 to the door 3. The clip head 51 is inserted into the hollow region 43 through a hole 42 a that is formed on the base 42 of the molded portion 8. Thus, the clip 50 is fixed to the base 42. In this context, the clip head 51 is located in the hollow region 43, the clip neck 52 is located in the hole 42 a and the clip leg 55 projects from the molded portion 8. The base 42 of the molded portion 8 is held between the clip head 51 and the clip flange 53, and the clip leg 55 is inserted into the door frame hole. Thus the base 42 of the molded portion 8 is fixed to the door frame DF.

As shown in FIG. 8, the molded portion 8 located near the front extruded portion 7 includes a base 45 and a seal portion 47 having a hollow region 46. The hollow region 46 is surrounded by the base 45 and the seal portion 47. The base 45 and the seal portion 47 are continuously integrated with the base 42 and the seal portion 44. Thus, all of the above components are part of the molded portion 8.

The base 45 is also fixed to the door frame DF with the clip 50 as well as the base 42 of the front extruded portion 7. The clip head 51 is inserted into the hollow region 46 through a hole 45 a that is formed on the base 45 of the molded portion 8. Thus, the clip 50 is fixed to the base 45. In this context, the clip head 51 is located in the hollow region 46, the clip neck 52 is located in the hole 45 a, and the clip leg 55 projects from the molded portion 8. The base 45 of the molded portion 8 is hold between the clip head 51 and the clip flange 53. The clip leg 55 is inserted into the door frame hole. Thus, the base 45 of the molded portion 8 is fixed on the door frame DF.

In the present embodiment, the horizontally elongated clip head 51 is located along the longitudinal direction of the base 42, 45. If the seal portion 44,47 includes a narrow part like the narrow part 33 of the seal portion 32 of the front extruded portion 7, a structure of a mold apparatus for the molded portion 8 must be an under cut structure, which is complicated to design and manufacture. Therefore, the seal portion 44, 47 does not include such a narrow part, but rather includes a pair of the side walls that are formed vertically to the base, and a half-arc wall connecting the pair of the side walls. Thus, the mold apparatus required for manufacturing the molded portion 8 is simplified.

One side of the inside wall of the seal portion 44, 47 includes protrusions 48, 49 that are locally formed corresponding to a position of the hole 42 a, 45 a and are adjacent to the base 45. One side of the clip head 51 contacts the protrusion 48, 49. Therefore, the clip head 51 is prevented to rotate thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the protrusions 48, 49 are formed to prevent the clip head 51 from running upon the protrusions 48, 49. The respective heights of the protrusions 48, 49 are greater than that of the clip head 51. Also, the clip 50 is configured not to move in a direction of an axis of the hole 42 a, 45 a between the clip head 51 and the clip flange 53. Since the clip 50 does not move in the direction of the axis of the hole 42 a, 45 a, the clip head 51 does not run upon the protrusions 48, 49. The protrusions 48, 49 include vertical walls against a rotating direction of the clip head 51, and the clip head 51 stably contacts the vertical wall of the protrusions 48,49.

When the clip 50 is inserted into the holes 42 a, 45 a of the molded portion 8, the protrusions 48,49 of the molded portion 8 guide the clip head 51 along thereof. Therefore, it becomes easier to fix the clip 50 to the molded portion 8.

The protrusions 48,49 are not continuously formed along the longitudinal direction of the molded portion 8, while the protrusions 48, 49 are independently formed corresponding to positions of the holes 42 a, 45 a. Therefore, it is easy to pick up a core mold of the mold apparatus, and to decrease an amount of material that is used for the molded portion 8. Because the protrusions 48, 49 are formed on only one side of the molded portion wall, it is also easy to decrease the amount of the material.

The protrusions 48, 49 may be continuously formed along the side wall of the seal portion. Thus, one side of the clip head 51 contacts the protrusions 48, 49. Therefore, the clip head 51 is prevented from rotating. Because the protrusions 48, 49 are formed on only one side of the molded portion wall, it is also easy to decrease the amount of the material.

This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. A vehicle door weather strip, comprising: a molded base defining at least one attachment hole therein; and a seal portion extending from the base and defining a hollow region therein, the seal portion including at least one clip rotation prevention protrusion formed inside of the hollow region and adjacent to the base.
 2. A weather strip according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is located corresponding to a position where the attachment hole is located.
 3. A weather strip according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is continuously formed along a side wall of the seal portion that defines the hollow region.
 4. A weather strip according to claim 1, further comprising a clip for fixing the base to a vehicle body through the attachment hole and including a horizontally elongated clip head, a clip neck clip neck that has a smaller diameter than the length of the clip head and a clip leg that is inserted into a fixing hole of the vehicle body.
 5. A weather strip according to claim 1, further comprising a clip for fixing the base to a vehicle door through the attachment hole and including a horizontally elongated clip head, a clip neck clip neck that has a smaller diameter than the length of the clip head and a clip leg that is inserted into a fixing hole of the vehicle door.
 6. A weather strip according to claim 2, wherein the at least one protrusion is formed along only one side wall of the seal portion that defines the hollow region.
 7. A weather strip according to claim 4, wherein the at least one protrusion has a predetermined height to prevent rotation of the clip head.
 8. A weather strip according to claim 1, wherein the hollow region of the seal portion is defined by a pair of side walls and a half-arc wall connecting the pair of side walls.
 9. A vehicle door weather strip, comprising: extruded portions for sealing a vehicle door; and molded portions each integrated with one end of each of the extruded portions for sealing the vehicle door; wherein the molded portions include a molded base with at least one attachment hole defined therein, a seal portion extending from the base and including a hollow region defined therein, and a protrusion formed within the hollow region adjacent to the base.
 10. A fixing structure of a vehicle weather strip, comprising: a molded base defining at least one attachment hole; a seal portion extending from the molded base and definig a hollow region therein; a clip for fixing the molded base to a vehicle door through the attachment hole and including a horizontally elongated clip head that is located in the hollow region, a clip neck that has a smaller diameter than the length of the clip head and a clip leg that is inserted into a fixing hole of the vehicle door; and a protrusion formed inside the hollow region and adjacent to the base, wherein the clip rotation prevention protrusion prevents the clip head from rotating in the hollow region of the seal portion. 